Prof. Dr. Timo Schmidt

Areas of Expertise

  • Design
  • Integrative Design
  • Facade Technology
  
October 2013 – presentTechnical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg, Chair of Facade Technology and Design in the Energy Efficiency Design (E2D) and Architecture programs
May 2007 – presentWerner Sobek Stuttgart AG, Member of the Scientific Advisory Board since 2022
September 2008 – May 2013Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago
; since 2011 as Adjunct Associate Professor (School of Architecture)
June 2007 – February 2014Center for Regenerative Biology and Regenerative Medicine (zrm), Tübingen
; Researcher (Biomaterials)
September 2008 – December 2008Harvard University, Massachusetts (GSD), Boston
; teaching position under the supervision of Prof. Werner Sobek
May 2008Doctoral defense for the degree of Doctor of Human Sciences (Dr. sc. hum),
University of Tübingen
Thesis title: Development of a device for analyzing the influence
of mechanical forces on osteogenic progenitors and mesenchymal
stem cells (summa cum laude = 0)
January 2007 – May 2007Harvard University, Massachusetts (GSD), Boston
: Teaching position under the supervision of Prof. Werner Sobek
September 2003 – October 2008Institute for Lightweight Structures, Design, and Engineering (ILEK), University of Stuttgart
Research Assistant (Prof. Werner Sobek)
June 2003 – May 2007Institute of Anatomy, Tübingen
; Chair of Anatomy and Experimental Embryology, Section for Tissue
Engineering
; January 2005–May 2007: Ph.D. candidate in Human Sciences
September 2001 – November 2002University College London (UCL) – The Bartlett, London
Master of Architecture in Architectural Design (Prof. Peter Cook)
Topic: Adaptive cell-based materials with the ability to
self-assemble. Technical handling of the material and demonstration of
parallels to medicine. (Distinction = 1.0)
May 1999 – August 1999cr-Studio, New York
International internship, architectural firm
October 1996 – August 2001Munich University of Applied Sciences (FH München
) Studied architecture
October 1995 – November 1996Civilian service – emergency medical services, Leonberg
1986 – 1995Albert Schweizer High School, Leonberg
  • Fortüne Program 2005 (University of Tübingen)
     
  • BMBF Medical Technology Ideas Competition 2008 (University of Tübingen). The application was
    submitted by Dr. Lothar Just. The applications were based on jointly filed patents.
    (Grant amount: €50,000).
     
  • Medical Technology, 2010 (University of Tübingen). *The application was submitted by Dr. Lothar
    Just. The applications were based on jointly filed patents.
    (Grant amount: €400,000)
     
  • Bio-Board 2013
    New Products for the Bioeconomy/BMBF
    A material panel
    or shell (Bio-Board) generated from microorganisms is to be developed for use in construction, whose properties can be adapted to the specific installation situation
    through controlled growth processes. In addition to improved
    mechanical properties and independence from geometry and scale, the manufacturing process for large-area materials is particularly
    innovative.
    (Grant amount: €50,000)
     
  • Next Generation Biofilm 2014–17
    New Products for the Bioeconomy/BMBF
    This project aligns with the objectives of the National Research Strategy Bioeconomy 2030
    in the action area “Industrial Use of Renewable Raw Materials.” Food production
    and the production of energy and raw materials are increasingly competing with one another (the “plate-or-tank”
    dilemma). One of the major challenges for the future is therefore to sustainably meet the growing demand
    for food, energy, and raw materials while minimizing the consumption of
    agricultural land, energy, and water. In this context, the sustainable
    production of proteins, lipids (fats), and carbohydrates (sugars &
    polysaccharides) using cyanobacteria, microalgae, or plants plays a central role.
    (Grant amount: €250,000)
     
  • Wicona 2017–18
    : Detailed design of a phototrophic bioreactor based on Wicona system components.
    In addition to designing the reactor components, the research work includes creating a
    thermal simulation of the reactor using Trnslizard. The simulation environment developed will
    be compared with Wicona’s experimental results from the Closed Cavity
    facade test stands. To this end, the test modules were also integrated into the digital
    simulation environment.
    (Industry contract: €30,000)
     
  • KLIBAU – Further Development and Specification of “Climate-Adapted Construction” 2018
    Zukunft Bau/BMBF
    Climate-adapted construction not only aims to increase the resilience of
    buildings against climate impacts, but the chosen designs are
    also intended to create added value for the surroundings of the climate-adapted building. This is
    not merely a reaction to climate change, but rather an additional, active
    influence on the building’s immediate environment. The measures taken increase resilience
    to climate impacts (heat, heavy rain, flooding, hail, storms) and
    have a positive effect on other climate impacts (climate potential) or positively influence the
    building’s environment, e.g., by increasing biodiversity, capturing
    particulate matter, improving the microclimate, etc. (Environmental potentials).
    (Subproject: €4,300)
     
  • Guardian 2019-20
    Dynamic Shading – Beyond Blackout
    (Industry contract: €60,000)
     
  • LEW 2021–22
    Potential analysis and investigation of application areas
    for bioreactors in fast-charging stations.
    (Industry contract: €60,000)
     
  • CO22Value in the Waste2Value
    program; Funding agency: BMBF
    ; Plant development and construction with simulation and development of the reactor as a mini-plant (€152,000)
     
  • Cyano CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization)
    Funding Agency: BMWE (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy)
    Development of a facade reactor for industrial facades connected to a high-CO2 source (cogeneration plant).
    (Subcontract to Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences: €72,000)
     
  • Waste2Algae; Validation of the extraction of valuable materials using microalgae and flue gas and waste materials on a prototype plant scale.
    Project sponsors: EU and Rhineland-Palatinate State Ministry; Total: €344,400

Patents

  • WO002009024280A3
    Cell Carrier Containing Collagen
    Licensed to Naturin GmbH & Co. KG (Viscofan Group). The product is available at
    www.viscofan-bioengineering.com and www.paa.com
     
  • EP2398898B1
    Methods for cryopreservation of cells, artificial cell constructs, or three-dimensional tissue
    assemblies. Licensed to Naturin GmbH & Co. KG (Viscofan Group)
     
  • EP2625261B1
    Cell Culture Insert. Licensed to Naturin GmbH & Co. KG (Viscofan Group)
     

Patents (abandoned)

  • WO002007068467A1
    Device and method for the cultivation and production of biological material in a nutrient mist
    (resigned in 2018)
     
  • DE000010243614A1
    Height-adjustable structure for protection against climatic influences and changing
    ground conditions
    (compare the German Neumayer III station in Antarctica).
     
  • DE102010015040.1-41
    Cell transport container with passive climate control

Invited Presentations, Chairs, and Boards

Member of the organizing committee of the Augsburg Façade Congress 2015; 2016; 2017;
2018; 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022

Raico – Kundenveranstaltung: „Wie sich Gebäude kleiden, wenn sie klimafreundlich und gesund sein wollen“. September (2025)

Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat – CTBUH. Webinar: Beyond Energy: A Human-Centered Approach to Sustainable Façades (Together with Carmen Herrmann and Baptiste Lach. April 10 (2025).

A3 Wirtschaftsraum Augsburg. Veranstaltung Zirkuläres Planen: Das Nest – Vorzeigeprojekt für zirkuläres Bauen in Dübendorf - Die Experimentaleinheit Urban Mining & Recycling (UMAR). Zusammen mit Bernd Köhler, Dezember (2024).

Fassade 24: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) von Vorhangfassaden. Februar 22 (2024)

Züblin Fassadentage Bad Boll: Nachhaltigkeit in der Gebäudehülle. April 27 (2023)

Seoul National University of Science and Technology, South Korea: Human Centered Façade Design, the anatomy of building skins. May 09 (2023)

ILEW e-Club, lllertissen: Begrünte Ladeinfrastruktur. Zusammen mit Paul Hoppe (2023)

Bremer Energiekonsens GmbH: Sommerlicher Wärmeschutz. Online Vortrag im Rahmen des
Lehrgangs klimaangepasstes und klimaschützendes Bauen, November 26 (2022)

Bremer Energiekonsens GmbH: Umsetzung klimaangepasster Fassaden - Wechselbeziehung,
Funktion, Gestalt. Online Vortrag im Rahmen des Lehrgangs klimaangepasstes und
klimaschützendes Bauen der, November 26 (2021)

HSA Transfer: Grün ist das neue Grau, was grüne Fassaden heute schon leisten. Online
Vortrag im Rahmen der HSA_transfer Vortragsreihe, November 23 (2021)

FERNSICHT 02/18: Visionäres aus der Materialwelt auf dem Fernsehturm, Design Center
Baden-Württemberg, Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH, Mai 15 (2018)

Rosenheimer Fenstertage: Textilfassade – Hülle mit vielen Aufgaben. Die Fassade des
Thyssen Krupp Testturms. ift Rosenheim, Oktober 13 (2018)

Expertenrunde Kunststoff - thermoreagibel/biobasiert/bionisch,
Januar 31, Raumprobe Stuttgart (2018)

Wicona, FaçadeTechnology – Design | Environment | Health, Nov. 10 (2017)

International Research Seminar – When walls became membranes, intersection between
architecture and biology across the long 20th century, May 2nd ,Politecnico di Milano (2017)

Fac(ad)elifting - Gestaltung und Sanierung von Fassaden
Juni 10, Raumprobe Stuttgart (2015)

Advanced Building Skins, SKZ Kunststoffzentrum Weimar
Dez. 3-4, Weimar (2012)

Future Trends, Architectural Club Chicago
Nov. 16, Chicago, USA (2012)

Building Skins, TU-Wien, Okt. 24, Wien, Österreich (2012)

Third Skin – Gebäudehüllen, unsere dritte Haut, Designers Open Conference, Leipzig (2012)

Engineering and Designing Sustainability, German American Chamber of Commerce,
Chicago (2009)

Lightweight Structures and Biopolymers, Chalmers University, Gothenburg, Sweden (2009)

Imaging of Regeneration II, Co-Chair, 3rd World Congress on Regenerative Medicine - New
Products for Diagnostics and Therapy, Oct. 18-20, Leipzig (2007)

Lightweight Structures, Architekturforum Zürich (2006)

Zellulärer Leichtbau, Eulogy and Lecture for the Stuttgart Lightweight Structure Award
Ceremony, Stuttgart (2006)
 

Presentations at International Conferences

T. Schmidt, C. Herrmann, M. Lakatos: Inhaling Carbon Dioxyde. World Congress Façade
Tectonics, Los Angeles (2020)

T. Schmidt, L. Blandini, W. Sobek: Casa Enzo Ferrari, Modena; Engineering a Free Form Skin,
Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Graz University of Technology. Graz, Jun. (2012)

T. Schmidt, L. Just, S. Haußmann, A. Mack, M. Rohde: A novel thin and mechanically stable
collagen based scaffold for tissue engineering approaches: Biostar, 3rd International Congress
on Regenerative Biology, Stuttgart, Okt. (2010)

T. Schmidt, S. Haußmann, L. Just: Collagen Cell Carrier for cell culture applications – a review,
First Viscofan Collagen Symposium, Weinheim, Juli (2010)

T. Schmidt, K. Puller, F. Renk, J. Schlutz, E. Messerschmid, W. Sobek:
Beyond Lightweight Structures, Lunar Base Symposium Kaiserslautern, Mai (2009)

M. Synold, T. Schmidt: Vakuumstabilisierte Gebäudehüllen, Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI),
2. VDI Tagung, Bauen mit innovativen Werkstoffen, Köln, Nov. (2009) Vorgetragen von
M. Synold

T. Schmidt, S. Hausmann, H. Becker, F. Maser, L. Just: A novel collagen cell carrier for cell
culture systems, Freiberg Collagen Symposium, Freiberg, Sept. (2008) Vorgetragen von L. Just.

T. Schmidt, T. Skutella, W. Sobek, W. Haase, L. Just: Life imaging of mechanical stressed
cells, 3rd World Congress on Regenerative Medicine - New Products for Diagnostics and
Therapy, Leipzig, Okt. (2007)

T. Schmidt, W. Sobek, W. Haase: Vacuum-stabilized, translucent façade systems. In: Textile
Composites and Inflatable Structures III, Barcelona, Sept. (2007)

M. Synold, T. Schmidt, W. Sobek: Structural Skins: Adaptivity and Vacuumatics, IASS
Symposium 2007, Structural Architecture – Toward the Future Looking to the Past, Venedig,
Dez. (2007) Vorgetragen von M. Synold

W. Haase, T. Schmidt: Adaptive Systeme. In: Bionik im Bauwesen, Darmstadt, März (2006)

Publications on Architecture

T. Schmidt C. Herrmann, M. Lakatos: Inhaling Carbon Dioxyde. Kongressband des World
Congress Façade Tectonics (2020)

T. Schmidt, C. Herrmann, M. Lakatos: Agro-urbane Architektur; DETAIL Ausgabe Mai, S. 14-16
(2019)

T.Schmidt: Leichtbau und Lehre; Beitrag zur Festschrift zum 65. Geburtstag von Werner Sobek.
S. 14-16 (2018)

T.Schmidt: Fassadenintegrierte Bioreaktorsysteme, Vom Feind zum Freund – Algenkultivierung
an der Fassade; gpForschung Hochschule Augsburg S. 21-22 (2018)

T. Schmidt: Bio-Board: Material aus Fasern von Mikroorganismen; DETAIL Research: Online
Ausgabe (2017)

T. Schmidt, MK. Nguyen, M. Lakatos: Fassadenintegrierte Bioreaktorsysteme; Fassade -
Technik und Architektur: S 24-26 (2017)

T. Schmidt, MK. Nguyen, M. Lakatos: Phototrophe Mikroorganismen an der Fassade; Fassade -
Technik und Architektur: S 24-26 (2017)

L. Blandini, T. Schmidt, W. Sobek: Customized Algorithmic Engineering of a Curved Cable-
Stayed Facade: The Enzo Ferrari Museum, Modena, Italy; Post-Parametric Automation in
Design and Construction: S 131-140 (2015)

L. Blandini, T. Schmidt, W. Sobek, T. Winterstetter: Fassaden mit komplexer Geometrie, Am
Beispiel des Enzo Ferrari Museums in Modena, Bautechnik (2014)

T. Schmidt, K. Puller: Visionen materialisieren – Zukunft gestalten. Werner Sobeks Lehre und
Forschung. Deutsche Bauzeitung (DBZ) (2013)

L. Blandini, T. Schmidt, T. Winterstetter, W. Sobek: Das Enzo Ferrari Museum - eine Fusion
zweier Designwelten, Glasbau, Teil A - Bauten und Projekte (2013)

A. Schuster, L. Blandini, T. Schmidt, W. Sobek: Parametric approaches to the engineering and
fabrication of double curved structures and skins, Advances in Architectural Geometry
(Conference Catalog); Paris (2012)

W. Haase, T. Klaus, F. Schmid, T. Schmidt, K. Sedlbauer, M. Synold, W. Sobek: Adaptive
textile folienbasierte Gebäudehüllen. Bautechnik (2012)

T. Schmidt, C. Lemaitre, W. Haase, W. Sobek: Vacuumatics (Catalog for the German
contribution) Updating Germany (2008)

T. Schmidt: Tissue Engineering based Architecture (Catalog for the German contribution)
Updating Germany (2008)

T. Schmidt, C. Lemaitre, W. Haase, W. Sobek: Vacuumatics - Bauen mit Unterdruck, Detail,
Ser. 47, H. 10, S. 1148-1156 (2007)

T. Schmidt, K. Puller: Lightweight Structures - Leichtbaustrategien für das Bauen im Bestand,
Metamorphose, Nov.-Ausg.1 (2007)

T. Schmidt, W. Sobek: Lightweight Structures. In: Neue Materialien und Technologien an der
Schwelle zur Architektur. Ed.: Architekturforum Zürich; 1. Auflage, S. 31-35. Sept. (2006)
 

Publications in Medicine

T. Schmidt, Ph.D., S. Stachon, A. Mack, Ph.D.,M. Rohde, Ph.D., L. Just, Ph.D.: Evaluation of a
Thin and Mechanically Stable Collagen Cell Carrier, TISSUE ENGINEERING: Part C (2011)

B. Tscheschke, J. Dreimann, J. vd Ruhr, T. Schmidt, L. Just, F. Stahl, T. Scheper: Evaluation of
novel mist-chamber bioreactors for the cultivation of various cell types. (2014)

J. Dreimann, B. Tscheschke, T. Schmidt, L. Just, F. Stahl, T. Scheper: Der
Nebelkammerreaktor – Entwicklung eines neuartigen Reaktorkonzepts für anspruchsvolle
Kultivierungen. (2014)
 

Scientific Posters

Daniel Zabicki , Michael Lakatos , Roland Ulber , Dorina Strieth , Michael Wahl , Kai Scherer
Timo Schmidt & Carmen Herrmann: Algenbiotechnologie an der Fassade – neue Potentiale
durch ePBR-Technologie. ProcessNet (DECHEMA), Web Conference, (2020)

K. Scherer, C. Herrmann, M. Wahl, T. Schmidt, M. Lakatos: Entwicklung von
fassadenintegrierten emersen Photobioreaktoren. ProcessNet (DECHEMA), KIT Karlsruhe,
(2018)

MK. Nguyen, M. Lakatos, D. Abendroth, T. Schmidt,: Optimierung von Temperatur und
Lichtversorgung mittels bauphysikalischer Simulationen am Beispiel eines emersen Outdoor-
Photobioreaktors, DECHEMA - Bundesalgenstammtisch Merseburg, (2017)

B. Tscheschke, J. Dreimann , J. von der Ruhr , T. Schmidt ,
L. Just , F. Stahl , T. Scheper: Nebelkammerreaktor - Evaluation eines neuen
Bioreaktorsystems, DECHEMA, (2012)
Posterpreis

T. Schmidt, S. Haußmann, L. Just: A novel aerosol-based three-dimensional cell culture
method. Biostar, 3rd International Congress on Regenerative Biology, Stuttgart, Okt. (2010)
Posterpreis 1. Platz

T. Schmidt, S. Haußmann, A. Mack, M. Rohde, L. Just: Analysis of a Collagen based Cell
Carrier for Cell Culture Applications. 4th World Congress on Regenerative Medicine, Leipzig,
Okt. (2009)

K. Nothelfer, S. Haußmann, T. Schmidt, Andreas Mack, Manfred Rohde, Florian Obermayr, L.
Just: Evaluation of a novel Collagen Cell Carrier for Neural Cells for the Enteric Nervous
System. 4th World Congress on Regenerative Medicine, Oct. 29-31, Leipzig, Okt. (2009)

T. Schmidt, S. Haußmann, K. Nothelfer, L. Just: A novel collagen cell carrier for cell culture
systems. In: Biostar, 3rd International Congress on Regenerative Biology, Stuttgart, Okt. (2008)

T. Schmidt: New collagen biomembrane as a matrix for bone tissue engineering. In: Biostar, 2nd
International Congress on Regenerative Biology, Stuttgart, Okt. (2006)

  • 2010 Innovation Competition to Promote Medical Technology
  • Science2Start, Innovation in Biotechnology Award 2010 (3rd Place)
  • Biennale (German Pavilion), Tissue Engineering-Based Architecture, Venice 2008
    German Architecture Museum 2009, Shanghai 2009
  • Exhibition of ILEK Works, Vienna, Austria, 2009
  • Scholarship for the Master’s Degree from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Jubilee Award from the Friends and Supporters Association of the FHM, Munich 2001

Project Management/Facade Design

Überseequartier, Hamburg
Architecture: WS Design

Wasl Tower, Dubai
Architecture: UN Studio, Amsterdam
Facade Design and Structural Engineering: Werner Sobek Stuttgart

Single-Family Home, Stuttgart
Architecture: Timo Schmidt

Opera House, Dubai
Architecture: Atkins Middle East
Façade Design: Werner Sobek, Stuttgart

Namaste Hotel & Office Tower (300 m), Mumbai
Architecture: WS Atkins, Dubai
Façade Design: Werner Sobek, Stuttgart

Gorky Park Parking Garage, Moscow
Rem Koolhaas; OMA
Facade Design: Werner Sobek, Stuttgart

Residential and Commercial Building, Munich
Architecture: Kühn Malvezzi, Berlin
Facade Design: Werner Sobek, Stuttgart

Expansion of a Commercial Building, Southern
Germany Architecture: Timo Schmidt


Collaboration on the following projects:

Nationalgalerie20, Berlin
Architecture: Herzog & de Meuron
Façade design: Werner Sobek Stuttgart

Mercury Tower, Valletta
Architecture: Zaha Hadid, London
Façade design: Werner Sobek Stuttgart

Casa Enzo Ferrari, Modena
Future Systems
Façade design/workshop planning: Werner Sobek Stuttgart

Zaha Hadid Office Building, London
Architecture: Zaha Hadid, London
Membrane Roof: Werner Sobek Stuttgart

Stuttgart 21, Stuttgart
Architecture: Ingenhoven Architects, Düsseldorf
Structural and Façade Design: Werner Sobek Stuttgart

Heydar Aliyev Merkezi Convention Center, Baku
Architecture: Zaha Hadid, London
; Façade design: Werner Sobek, Stuttgart

; Baku Flame Towers, Baku
; Architecture: HOK, London
; Façade design: Werner Sobek, Stuttgart

; House of Astronomy, Heidelberg
; Architecture: Bernhardt & Partner, Darmstadt
; Façade design: Werner Sobek, Stuttgart